Severe rainfall deficit impacts Kharif farming in Markapuram
The district has received only 108.6 mm rainfall against the normal 228.4 mm from June 1, representing a 52.5% deficit; kharif coverage falls to 21.09%, compared with 79% last year
Markapuram district in Andhra Pradesh is grappling with a severe agricultural crisis due to a significant rainfall deficit and the impact of the Super El Nino conditions. The district has received only 108.6 mm of rainfall against the normal 228.4 mm, resulting in a 52.5% deficit. This has led to a drastic reduction in kharif cultivation, with only 18,055 hectares cultivated out of the normal 85,577 hectares, leaving 67,522 hectares unsown.
The impact has been felt across various crops, with red gram output potentially falling from five quintals to 0.5 quintal per acre and cotton from 10 quintals to one or two quintals. Horticulture has also been adversely affected, with only 9,092 hectares cultivated against the normal 32,097 hectares. The administration is encouraging farmers to diversify into short-duration vegetables to conserve water, reduce climate risks, and generate quicker returns.
Brief written by urgent.news from The Hindu's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
